Photo by Seattle City Council Expands License Plate Reader Technology to All Police Vehicles
The Seattle City Council has approved the expansion of automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology to all Seattle Police Department vehicles. This move is aimed at addressing crime throughout the city and aiding in investigations. The ALPR system combines hardware that captures an image of a license plate with software that compares the number to a list of plates associated with open, reported crimes, and missing persons.
Image: A Seattle Police Car
During a presentation by the SPD, community members expressed concerns about privacy risks. To address these concerns, the City Council passed several amendments to protect personal information and limit access to the data.
The amendments ensure that the data will be automatically deleted after 90 days unless it has been flagged for helping to solve a case, which would then be moved into an investigation file. Additionally, only a small number of trained personnel will have access to the data.
Councilmember Kettle, who sponsored the bill, stated, “In our great city, crime has compounded crime. When someone steals a car, it’s used to smash through a storefront, eroding safety and contributing to a permissive environment. Automated License Plate Reader technology is an essential tool to curtail crime at the source.”
The technology will be added to 360 police vehicles at a cost of $280,000 per year, starting in 2024. The cost is included in the 2024 SPD budget.
Stellantis May Cut Many Jobs in Metro Detroit
Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, has announced a massive cost-cutting effort that may affect jobs for many Metro Detroit workers, particularly in Auburn Hills. The company’s CEO, Carlos Tavares, has promised to cut 30% of Stellantis costs to compete globally with Chinese automakers.
Image: Auburn Hills Office Tower
The move is expected to have a significant impact on the industry, with thousands of jobs potentially at risk. Auto analyst John McElroy stated, “The old Chrysler Group as we know it in Auburn Hills is going to be a mere shadow of itself in just a couple of years.”
AFCENT Command Technology Data Office Hosts Hackathon
The Command Technology and Data Office (CTDO) of the Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) recently hosted a hackathon event at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. The event focused on warfighting solutions for problem sets within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
Image: Hackathon Event
The hackathon brought together 23 participants, including Airmen, academia partners, and industry collaborators, to develop solutions for complex problem sets. The event was judged by how well participants assessed problem sets, collected data, and developed a life cycle project management plan for the implementation of a solution.
Master Sgt. Darren Heller, CTDO superintendent, stated, “This event supported our ability to deliver dominant coalition combat power and integrated command and control in concert with our partners in the region.”
The hackathon furthered AFCENT’s effort to support CENTCOM’s data and digitalization transformation efforts, establishing a foundation of data literacy paired with innovation.
